Multimedia broadcast multicast communication method, apparatus, and system

ABSTRACT

A multimedia broadcast multicast communication method, an apparatus, and a system are provided. The method includes: receiving, by a base station, first indication information at a first time, where the first indication information is used to indicate that transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcast multicast service MBSFN manner is to be suspended; and sending, by the base station, second indication information to user equipment UE according to the first indication information, so that the UE suspends, at a second time according to the second indication information, receiving the service data in the MBSFN manner. The first time is earlier than the second time, and duration between the first time and the second time is less than a multicast control channel MCCH modification period. The user equipment is notified in a more timely manner to suspend transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/594,339, filed on May 12, 2017, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN2014/091014, filed on Nov. 13, 2014.All of the afore-mentioned patent applications are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field ofcommunications technologies, and in particular, to a multimediabroadcast multicast communication method, an apparatus, and a system.

BACKGROUND

Multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS for short) is acommunications technology for simultaneously sending same data tomultiple user equipments (UE for short) by using multiple base stations.The MBMS communications technology is mainly applied to a Long TermEvolution (LTE for short) wireless communications network. MBMS servicedata is transmitted by using a multimedia broadcast multicast servicesingle frequency network (MBSFN for short) subframe.

Generally, data of a service is referred to as service data, datatransmitted in an MBSFN manner is referred to as MBMS service data, anda service to which the MBMS service data belongs is referred to as anMBMS service. When traffic of MBMS service data is larger than trafficthat the MBSFN subframe can bear, a part of the MBMS service data isdiscarded.

To avoid discarding MBMS service data, a part of the service data may betransmitted in another manner, such as in a unicast manner. Therefore,the UE needs to be notified in advance that transmitting the part of theservice data in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended.

The UE cannot be notified in a timely manner by using the existingsolution for notifying the UE in advance.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a multimedia broadcastmulticast communication method, an apparatus, and a system, so as tonotify UE in a more timely manner that transmitting service data in anMBSFN manner is to be suspended.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a multimedia broadcast multicast communication methodincluding:

receiving, by a base station, first indication information at a firsttime, where the first indication information is used to indicate thattransmitting service data in a multimedia broadcast multicast serviceMBSFN manner is to be suspended; and sending, by the base station,second indication information to user equipment UE according to thefirst indication information, so that the UE suspends, at a second timeaccording to the second indication information, receiving the servicedata in the MBSFN manner, where the first time is earlier than thesecond time, and duration between the first time and the second time isless than a multicast control channel MCCH modification period.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner, the sending, by the base station, second indication informationto user equipment UE according to the first indication informationincludes: sending, by the base station, the second indicationinformation to the UE according to the first indication information byadding the second indication information into a Medium Access ControlMAC data packet sent to the UE.

The first indication information is added into the MAC data packetwithout limitation of an MCCH modification period, so that a networkside can send the first indication information to user equipment in atimely manner.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the secondindication information is carried in a MAC header MAC header of the MACdata packet.

The existing MAC header is used to carry the first indicationinformation, so that the existing MAC protocol is compatible, and anexisting system is slightly modified.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the second indicationinformation is carried in a MAC sub-header corresponding to the servicedata in the MAC header.

The MAC sub-header corresponding to the service in the existing MACheader is used to carry the first indication information, so that theexisting MAC protocol is compatible, and an existing system is slightlymodified.

With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the thirdpossible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner, the first time includes: a firstmulticast channel scheduling period MSP; or a first time point; or afirst transmission time interval TTI; or a first subframe.

With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the fourthpossible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a fifth possibleimplementation manner, the second time includes: a second MSP; or asecond time point; or a second TTI; or a second subframe.

Different forms of the first time and the second time enable a system toset a time more flexibly.

With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the first indicationinformation is further used to indicate the second time.

The second time is added into the first indication information, so thatan eNB can dynamically obtain a time for suspending transmitting servicedata in an MBSFN manner, and a system is more flexible and can beapplied to different scenarios and network environments.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner of the firstaspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the firstindication information includes a first index and a second index, andthe second time is an MSP indicated by the second index in the MCCHmodification period corresponding to the first index.

A particular MSP in which transmitting service data in an MBSFN manneris to be suspended is designated by using an index, so that the existingMBMS protocol is compatible, and a system is slightly affected.

With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the seventhpossible implementation manners of the first aspect, in an eighthpossible implementation manner, the first indication information isfurther used to indicate a notification time, and the notification timeis earlier than the second time and later than the first time; and thesending, by the base station, second indication information to userequipment UE according to the first indication information includes:sending, by the base station, the second indication information to theUE at the notification time according to the first indicationinformation.

A notification time is delivered to a base station, so that basestations in an MBSFN area can synchronously notify UE that transmittingservice data in an MBSFN manner is to be suspended, and this isbeneficial to system stability.

With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the eighthpossible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a ninth possibleimplementation manner, the second indication information includes thesecond time.

The second time is added into the second indication information, so thatUE can dynamically obtain a time for suspending transmitting servicedata in an MBSFN manner, and a system is more flexible and can beapplied to different scenarios and network environments.

With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the ninthpossible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a tenth possibleimplementation manner, the first indication information is sent by amulti-cell/multicast coordination entity MCE.

The MCE notifies the base station, so that an existing network elementcan be utilized to the maximum, and an existing network is slightlyaffected.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a multimedia broadcast multicast communication methodincluding: determining, by a multi-cell/multicast coordination entityMCE, to suspend transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcastmulticast service MBSFN manner in a multimedia broadcast multicastservice single frequency network MBSFN area; and sending, by the MCE,indication information to a base station at a first time, so that thebase station notifies user equipment UE that transmitting the servicedata in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended at a second time, where thefirst time is earlier than the second time, and duration between thefirst time and the second time is less than a multicast control channelMCCH modification period.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the second aspect, before the determining, by amulti-cell/multicast coordination entity MCE, to suspend transmittingservice data in a multimedia broadcast multicast service MBSFN manner,the method further includes: receiving, by the MCE, a notificationmessage sent by the base station, where the notification message is usedto indicate that congestion occurs in the MBSFN area.

With reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementationmanner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner,the first time includes: a first multicast channel scheduling periodMSP; or a first time point; or a first transmission time interval TTI;or a first subframe.

With reference to the second aspect, or the first or the second possibleimplementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possibleimplementation manner, the second time includes: a second MSP; or asecond time point; or a second TTI; or a second subframe.

With reference to one of the second aspect or the first to the thirdpossible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner, the indication information is furtherused to indicate the second time.

With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of thesecond aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the indicationinformation includes a first index and a second index, and the secondtime is an MSP indicated by the second index in the MCCH modificationperiod corresponding to the first index.

With reference to one of the second aspect or the first to the fifthpossible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a sixthpossible implementation manner, the indication information is furtherused to indicate a notification time, so that the base station notifies,at the notification time, the UE that transmitting the service data inthe MBSFN manner is to be suspended at the second time, and thenotification time is earlier than the second time and later than thefirst time.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a base station including: a receiving unit, configured toreceive first indication information at a first time, where the firstindication information is used to indicate that transmitting servicedata in a multimedia broadcast multicast service MBSFN manner is to besuspended; and a sending unit, configured to send second indicationinformation to user equipment UE according to the first indicationinformation, so that the UE suspends, at a second time according to thesecond indication information, receiving the service data in the MBSFNmanner, where the first time is earlier than the second time, andduration between the first time and the second time is less than amulticast control channel MCCH modification period.

With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the third aspect, the sending unit is configured to send thesecond indication information to the UE according to the firstindication information by adding the second indication information intoa Medium Access Control MAC data packet sent to the UE.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the secondindication information is carried in a MAC header MAC header of the MACdata packet.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the second indicationinformation is carried in a MAC sub-header corresponding to the servicedata in the MAC header.

With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the thirdpossible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner, the first time includes: a firstmulticast channel scheduling period MSP; or a first time point; or afirst transmission time interval TTI; or a first subframe.

With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the fourthpossible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a fifth possibleimplementation manner, the second time includes: a second MSP; or asecond time point; or a second TTI; or a second subframe.

With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the first indicationinformation is further used to indicate the second time.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner of the thirdaspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the firstindication information includes a first index and a second index, andthe second time is an MSP indicated by the second index in the MCCHmodification period corresponding to the first index.

With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the seventhpossible implementation manners of the third aspect, in an eighthpossible implementation manner, the first indication information isfurther used to indicate a notification time, and the notification timeis earlier than the second time and later than the first time; and thesending unit is configured to send the second indication information tothe UE at the notification time according to the first indicationinformation.

With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the eighthpossible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a ninth possibleimplementation manner, the second indication information includes thesecond time.

With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the ninthpossible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a tenth possibleimplementation manner, the first indication information is sent by amulti-cell/multicast coordination entity MCE.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity MCE including: adetermining unit, configured to determine to suspend transmittingservice data in a multimedia broadcast multicast service MBSFN manner ina multimedia broadcast multicast service single frequency network MBSFNarea; and a sending unit, configured to send indication information to abase station at a first time, so that the base station notifies userequipment UE that transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner isto be suspended at a second time, where the first time is earlier thanthe second time, and duration between the first time and the second timeis less than a multicast control channel MCCH modification period.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the fourth aspect, the MCE further includes a receiving unit,configured to receive a notification message sent by the base station,where the notification message is used to indicate that congestionoccurs in the MBSFN area.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementationmanner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner,the first time includes: a first multicast channel scheduling periodMSP; or a first time point; or a first transmission time interval TTI;or a first subframe.

With reference to the fourth aspect, or the first or the second possibleimplementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possibleimplementation manner, the second time includes: a second MSP; or asecond time point; or a second TTI; or a second subframe.

With reference to one of the fourth aspect or the first to the thirdpossible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a fourthpossible implementation manner, the indication information is furtherused to indicate the second time.

With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of thefourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the indicationinformation includes a first index and a second index, and the secondtime is an MSP indicated by the second index in the MCCH modificationperiod corresponding to the first index.

With reference to one of the fourth aspect or the first to the fifthpossible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a sixthpossible implementation manner, the indication information is furtherused to indicate a notification time, so that the base station notifies,at the notification time, the UE that transmitting the service data inthe MBSFN manner is to be suspended at the second time; and thenotification time is earlier than the second time and later than thefirst time.

According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides a communications system including the base station describedabove and the MCE described above.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the fifth aspect, the system further includes the UE,configured to receive the second indication information.

According to a six aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides user equipment including: a receiving unit, configured toreceive a MAC data packet sent by a base station; an obtaining unit,configured to obtain first indication information from the MAC datapacket, where the first indication information is used to indicate thattransmitting service data in an MBSFN manner is to be suspended; and anexecution unit, configured to suspend receiving the service data in theMBSFN manner according to the first indication information.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementationmanner of the sixth aspect, the first indication information may furtherinclude a second time, and the first indication information is used toindicate that transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner is to besuspended at the second time.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the sixthaspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the second timeincludes: a second MSP; or a second time point; or a second TTI; or asecond subframe.

With reference to the sixth aspect, or the first or the second possibleimplementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a third possibleimplementation manner, the execution unit is further configured toinitiate establishment of a bearer, and the bearer is used to transmitthe service data in a unicast manner.

With reference to the sixth aspect or the first to the third possibleimplementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fourth possibleimplementation manner, the first indication information is carried in aMAC header of the MAC data packet.

In the embodiments of the present invention, first indicationinformation is sent to a base station at a first time, so that the basestation notifies user equipment that transmitting service data in anMBSFN manner is to be suspended at a second time. Because durationbetween the first time and the second time is less than a multicastcontrol channel modification period, the user equipment is notified in amore timely manner that transmitting the service data in the MBSFNmanner is to be suspended.

For ease of understanding, some related concepts of the presentinvention are described as an example for reference, as shown below:

3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP for short) is a projectcommitted to develop a wireless communications network. An organizationrelated to the 3GPP is generally referred to as a 3GPP organization.

A wireless communications network is a network for providing a wirelesscommunications function. The wireless communications network may usedifferent communications technologies, such as Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA for short), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA for short),Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA for short), orthogonalfrequency division multiple access (OFDMA for short), and single carrierfrequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA for short). A wirelesscommunications network defined by the 3GPP organization is generallyreferred to as a 3GPP network, and a wireless communications networkdefined by a non-3GPP organization is generally referred to as anon-3GPP network. A typical non-3GPP network includes a WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX for short) network, a CDMAnetwork, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi for short) network, and the like. The3GPP network may be classified into a 2G network, a 3G network, or a 4Gnetwork according to capacities, rates, and the like of differentnetworks. A typical 2G network includes a GSM/GPRS (Global System forMobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) network. A typical3G network includes a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA forshort) network. A typical 4G network includes an LTE network.Application of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments ofthe present invention includes but is not limited to the LTE network,and the technical solutions may further be used in the 2/3G network orthe non-3GPP network.

User equipment (UE for short) is a terminal device, which may be amobile terminal device or an immobile terminal device. The device ismainly used to receive or send service data. For example, the UE iscapable of receiving service data transmitted in an MBSFN manner. Theuser equipment may be distributed in a network. In different networks,the user equipment has different names, such as a terminal, a mobilestation, a subscriber unit, a station, a cellular phone, a personaldigital assistant, a wireless modem, a wireless communications device, ahandheld device, a lap-top computer, a cordless telephone set, awireless local loop station, and the like.

A base station (BS for short) is an access network apparatus forproviding a wireless communications function. For example, in the 3GPPnetwork, a 2G network device for providing a base station functionincludes a base transceiver station (BTS for short) and a base stationcontroller (BSC for short), a 3G network device for providing a basestation function includes a node B (NodeB for short) and a radio networkcontroller (RNC for short), and a 4G network device for providing a basestation function includes an evolved NodeB (eNB for short). One basestation usually manages multiple cells.

A multimedia broadcast multicast service single frequency network (MBSFNfor short) is a wireless communications network using a technology forsimultaneously transmitting a same waveform to a group of cells in onephysical area.

An MBSFN area (MBSFN area) is an area including a group of cells inwhich transmission in an MBSFN manner may be cooperatively implemented.

Multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS for short) is a service forsimultaneously sending same data to multiple user equipments by usingmultiple base stations. Transmitting the service data in the MBSFNmanner refers to using the MBSFN manner to transmit the service data,that is, multiple base stations simultaneously send the service data tomultiple user equipments. This may be understood as a multicasttransmission manner.

A multicast channel (MCH for short) is a channel used to transmit MBMSservice data.

Multicast channel scheduling information (MSI for short) is used toindicate, to user equipment, an ending subframe in an MPS fortransmission of each MBMS service data.

Time may be understood in a broad sense. The time in the embodiments ofthe present invention may include a time point, a transmission timeinterval (TTI for short), a subframe, a multicast channel schedulingperiod (MSP for short), and the like.

A multicast channel scheduling period is a period for scheduling an MCH.

An MBMS control channel (MCCH for short) is a channel used to transmitcontrol information of an MBMS service.

An MCH modification period is a period for modifying control informationon the MCCH. For example, it may be 5.12 seconds or 10.24 seconds.

An MBSFN subframe is a subframe used to transmit an MBMS service data.

A multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE for short) is configuredto configure a parameter for sending MBMS service data by multiple basestations in an MBSFN area, to ensure that all the base stations in theMBSFN area use same configuration to send the MBMS service data.

A Medium Access Control (MAC for short) data packet is a data packet ata MAC layer. The MAC data packet includes a MAC header and one or moreMAC SDUs (service data unit), and one MAC SDU includes one MACsub-header.

An M2 interface is an interface between an MCE and an eNB, and is usedto transmit an M2 Application Protocol (M2AP for short) message.

A mobility management network element (MMNE for short) is a core networkdevice used to perform mobility management on user equipment. Forexample, in a ⅔G network, the mobility management network elementincludes a serving GPRS support node (SGSN for short). In a 4G network,the mobility management network element includes a mobility managemententity (MME for short).

A gateway is a core network device for transmitting user-plane data.

Suspending may be understood as terminating, stopping, or pausing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the presentinvention more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanyingdrawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art.Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description showmerely some embodiments of the present invention, and a person ofordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from theseaccompanying drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an MBMS networking architectureaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2-1 is a schematic structural diagram of a MAC data packetaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2-2 is a schematic structural diagram of another MAC data packetaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a MAC sub-headercorresponding to a data packet A in a MAC header according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an added MAC sub-headercorresponding to a data packet A in a MAC header according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of still another MAC datapacket according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a multimedia broadcast multicastcommunication method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an eNB according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an MCE according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of UE according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following clearly describes the technical solutions in theembodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, thedescribed embodiments are merely some but not all of the embodiments ofthe present invention. All other embodiments obtained by a person ofordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the presentinvention without creative efforts shall fall within the protectionscope of the present invention.

Network architectures and service scenarios described in the embodimentsof the present invention are used to more clearly describe the technicalsolutions in the embodiments of the present invention, instead oflimiting the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of thepresent invention. An ordinary person in the art may know that, withevolution in the network architecture and emergence of new servicescenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of thepresent invention are also applicable to a similar technical problem.

An LTE network is used as an example in the following description. Itshould be noted that, the technical solutions and technical ideasaccording to the embodiments of the present invention may also be usedin a broadband network accessed in another radio access manner.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a typical MBMS networking architecture.

As shown in FIG. 1, the networking architecture includes:

a data source, configured to provide service data that needs to betransmitted to UE;

a gateway, configured to transmit the service data provided by the datasource to an eNB;

an MME, configured to manage mobility of the UE, and control an eNB andthe gateway to establish a data transmission bearer for the UE;

an MCE, configured to configure a parameter required by an eNB fortransmitting the service data in an MBSFN manner;

multiple eNBs, configured to send, in an MBSFN manner, the service dataprovided by the gateway to the UE, or send the service data to the UE ina unicast manner; and

UE, configured to receive the service data sent in an MBSFN manner, orreceive the service data sent in a unicast manner.

For ease of description, only two eNBs are shown in the figure. Inactual configuration, one MCE may connect to multiple eNBs, and the MCEmay configure the multiple eNBs, so that the multiple eNBs send sameservice data at a same time, and the service data is transmitted in anMBSFN manner.

For the UE, after the service data sent by the multiple eNBs in an MBSFNmanner arrives at the UE, the UE does not need to distinguish between asignal sent by one eNB and a signal sent by another eNB. Signals sent bythe multiple eNBs are superposed in the UE, so as to strengthen thesignal, and reduce a packet error rate for transmitting the servicedata.

A procedure of sending service data in an MBSFN manner is generally asfollows:

1. The data source may sequentially send related information, such as acharacteristic of a to-be-transmitted service, a service data rate, aservice data amount, and a destination area, to the gateway.

2. After receiving the information sent by the data source, the gatewayallocates an IP multicast address to each eNB, and transmits the addressto the MME and the MCE.

3. The MCE allocates an air interface resource to the to-be-transmittedservice, notifies each eNB of the allocated air interface resource, andnotifies each eNB of the IP multicast address allocated by the gateway.

4. Each eNB adds the IP multicast address allocated by the gateway intoa corresponding IP multicast group, and updates reserved subframes(these reserved subframes are referred to as MBSFN subframes) accordingto the air interface resource allocated by the MCE. These reservedsubframes are used to transmit the service data. For example, a subframe2, a subframe 7, and a subframe 8 in each scheduling period serve asMBSFN subframes.

Till now, preparation work for sending the service data in the MBSFNmanner is complete.

When the service data needs to be transmitted in the MBSFN manner:

5. The data source sends the service data to the gateway.

6. The gateway sends the service data to each eNB in an IP multicastmanner.

7. Each eNB sends the service data to the UE at the air interface byusing the MBSFN subframes.

For example, the service data is sent on the MCH.

Till now, a function of transmitting the service data in the MBSFNmanner is implemented.

To ensure that the eNBs send same data in a same subframe, a synchronousmeasure needs to be taken. In a time dimension, a fixed time length ofscheduling period may be divided. The data source encloses a timestampwith each data packet, and the eNB may map a data packet to acorresponding scheduling period according to the timestamp in the datapacket. A data packet mapped to a scheduling period N is to be sent in aperiod N+1. The scheduling period herein may also become an MSP.

It can be learned that, a quantity of MBSFN subframes allocated to theservice data by the MCE determines a transmission rate of the servicedata. A higher rate of the service data needs more MBSFN subframes to beallocated, and a lower rate of the service data needs fewer MBSFNsubframes to be allocated. The MBSFN subframes are used to transmit MBMSservice data only, and in consideration of resource utilization,allocating more MBSFN subframes wastes resources when the rate of theservice data becomes lower. Therefore, a quantity of MBSFN subframesallocated to the MBMS service data is usually not greater than aquantity of MBSFN subframes required for an average rate. However, whenthe rate of the MBMS service data becomes higher, a part of the MBMSservice data is discarded because the MBSFN subframes cannot hold moredata.

In view of that, a part of the MBMS service may be sent to the UE inanother manner, such as in a unicast manner, so that a rate of theservice data sent in the MBSFN manner matches the quantity of theallocated MBSFN subframes. To realize this purpose, the UE needs to benotified in advance that transmitting data of a particular MBMS servicein the MBSFN manner is to be suspended.

Because MBMS-related control information is transmitted on an MCCH, theUE may be notified by using the MCCH. That is, indication information isadded into the MCCH, to notify the UE that transmitting data of aparticular MBMS service in the MBSFN manner is to be stopped. However,because an MCCH modification period limits modification of the MCCH andthe MCCH cannot be modified at any time, at least one MCCH modificationperiod, that is, 5.12 seconds or 10.24 seconds, is required after theMCE notifies the eNB, the eNB notifies the UE, and the UE suspendsreceiving the service data in the MBSFN manner. Consequently, the UE maynot be notified in a timely manner, and may not initiate, in a timelymanner, establishment of a unicast bearer, thereby causing serviceinterruption.

To notify the UE in a timely manner that transmitting data of aparticular MBMS service in the MBSFN manner is to be stopped, the UE maybe notified by adding corresponding indication information into a datapacket of the service data sent on the MCH. For example, indicationinformation may be carried in a MAC data packet that bears the servicedata. The indication information is added into the MAC data packet, soas to avoid limitation of the MCCH modification period, and reduce atime that lasts after the MCE notifies the eNB and before the UEsuspends receiving the service data in the MBSFN manner.

It is assumed that data of a service A and data of a service B need tobe transmitted to the UE in an MBSFN manner, and the MCE allocates asubframe 2 and a subframe 7 in each MSP as MBSFN subframes.

As shown in FIG. 2-1, for example, the first MAC data packet that is inthe MSP and sent by the eNB by using the subframe 2 includes: a MACheader, an MSI, an MCCH, and a data packet A.

The MAC header is a MAC header of the MAC data packet, and includesthree MAC sub-headers corresponding to the MSI, the MCCH, and the datapacket A that are included in the MAC data packet.

For example, in the MAC sub-header corresponding to the MSI, the firstfield R and the second field R are reserved fields. The third field Eindicates whether another MAC sub-header follows. If a value of thefield is 1, it indicates that still a MAC sub-header follows; if a valueof the field is 0, it indicates that a MAC sub-header does not follow.The fourth field “LCID of MSI” indicates that a MAC SDU corresponding tothe MAC sub-header is MSI. The fifth field F indicates a length of afield “Length of MSI”. If a value of the field is 0, it indicates thatthe length of the field “Length of MSI” is 7 bits; if a value of thefield is 1, it indicates that the length of the field “Length of MSI” is15 bits. The sixth field “Length of MSI” indicates a length of the MSIpart.

For related content of the MAC sub-header corresponding to the MCCH andof the MAC sub-header corresponding to the data packet A, refer torelated content of the MAC sub-header corresponding to the MSI. Detailsare not described herein.

The MSI is used to indicate an ending subframe in the MSP fortransmitting the data of the service A and the data of the service B.

For example, in a first record in the MSI, a field “LCID of A” indicatesthat the record is corresponding to the data packet A, and a field“stop” indicates an ending MBSFN subframe in the MSP for transmittingthe data packet A. For content of a second record in the MSI, refer tocontent of the first record. Details are not described herein.

The MCCH is used to indicate related control information fortransmitting the data of the service A and the data of the service B inthe MBSFN manner.

The data packet A is used to bear a part of the data of the service A.

As shown in FIG. 2-2, for example, a MAC data packet sent by the eNB byusing the subframe 7 in the MSP includes: a MAC header, a data packet A,and a data packet B.

The MAC header is a MAC header of the MAC data packet, and includes MACsub-headers corresponding to the data packet A and the data packet Bthat are included in the MAC data packet. For specific content of theMAC sub-header, refer to related content of the MAC header in FIG. 2-1.Details are not described herein.

The data packet A is used to bear another part of the data of theservice A.

The data packet B is used to bear a part of the data of the service B.

The FIG. 2-1 and the FIG. 2-2 show examples of schematic structuraldiagrams of MAC data packets, and a MAC data packet structure is notlimited thereto. Different MAC data packet structures may exist indifferent scenarios.

It is assumed that transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFNmanner is to be suspended. The following implementation manners may beconsidered to add the indication information into the MAC data packet,to notify the UE that transmitting the data of the service A in theMBSFN manner is to be suspended.

Manner (1): The MAC header in the MAC data packet may be modified. TheMAC sub-header corresponding to the data packet A in the MAC header isoverwritten.

Specifically, a reserved field of the MAC sub-header in the data packetA may be overwritten. For example, the first reserved field R is set to1, or the second reserved field is set to 1, to indicate to the UE thattransmitting, in an MBSFN manner, the data of the service A borne by thedata packet A is to be suspended in a next MSP or an M^(th) MSP. M maybe pre-configured in the UE, or may be notified to the UE by the eNB.This is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 3, the first reserved field of the MAC sub-header in thedata packet A is set to 1.

For another example, the first reserved field R and the second reservedfield R may be combined to indicate an MSP in which transmitting thedata of the service A in the MBSFN manner is suspended. For example, thefirst reserved field is set to 1, and the second reserved field is setto 0. This indicates that transmitting the data of the service A in theMBSFN manner is to be suspended in the second MSP after the MSP. Thefirst reserved field is set to 0, and the second reserved field is setto 1. This indicates that transmitting the data of the service A in theMBSFN manner is to be suspended in the first MSP after the MSP. A personskilled in the art may understand that another combination manner may beused to indicate a quantity of MSPs, and details are not describedherein.

Optionally, it is assumed that the MSP includes 5 MAC data packets thatbear the data of the service A. The same modification may be performedon some or all MAC data packets including the data of the service A inthe 5 MAC data packets in the MSP, to ensure that the UE can correctlyobtain the indication information.

Manner (2): The MAC header in the MAC data packet may be modified. A newMAC sub-header corresponding to the data packet A is added to carry theindication information, to indicate to the UE that transmitting the dataof the service A in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended.

As shown in FIG. 4, a field “Length of A” in the added MAC sub-headermay be set to 0, and this indicates that transmitting the data of theservice A in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended in a next MSP or anM^(th) MSP. M may be pre-configured in the UE, or may be notified to theUE by the eNB.

Optionally, the UE may be notified, by setting the reserved field inmanner (1), that transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFNmanner is to be suspended, and details are not described herein.

Optionally, the modification in Manner (2) may be performed on themultiple MAC data packets that bear the data of the service A in theMSP, to ensure that the UE can correctly obtain the indicationinformation.

Manner (3): A MAC CE (control element) may be added into the MAC datapacket, to carry the indication information, so as to indicate to the UEthat transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner is to besuspended.

As shown in FIG. 5, the indication information may be added after theMSI part in the MAC data packet. A specific format of the indicationinformation is not limited. A person skilled in the art understands thatthe indication information part may be added after the MCCH part orafter the data packet A part, and this is not limited herein. Becausethe indication information part is added into the MAC data packet, aperson skilled in the art understands that a MAC sub-headercorresponding to the indication information needs to be added into theMAC header.

Because the MAC data packet is transmitted in each MBSFN subframe in theMSP, and modification on the MAC data packet is not limited by the MCCHmodification period, compared with using the MCCH to notify the UE thattransmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended,using the MAC data packet to notify the UE is more flexible and timely.For example, when the service data rate is to suddenly increase in anext MSP, the indication information may be carried in a MAC data packetin a current MSP, and transmitting the service data in the MBSFN mannermay be suspended in the next MSP. Therefore, data transmission in theMBSFN manner is more flexible and efficient, a situation in which aservice data rate increases suddenly can be properly dealt with withoutdiscarding data due to the sudden increase in the service data rate, anduser experience is ensured.

The foregoing describes an example of indicating, to the UE by addingthe indication information into the MAC data packet, that transmittingthe service data in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended.

In consideration of a procedure, the MCE may deliver a notification tothe eNB, and then the eNB delivers indication information to the UE byusing a MAC data packet. For ease of understanding, the indicationinformation delivered by the MCE to the eNB may serve as firstindication information, the indication information delivered by the eNBto the UE by using the MAC data packet may serve as second indicationinformation.

For example, FIG. 6 shows a multimedia broadcast multicast communicationmethod, so that indication information carried in a MAC data packet istransmitted to UE and indicates that transmitting service data in anMBSFN manner is to be suspended.

As shown in FIG. 6:

101. An MCE determines to suspend transmitting data of a service A inthe MBSFN manner at an MBSFN area.

102. The MCE sends first indication information to an eNB.

The first indication information is used to indicate that transmittingthe data of the service A in the multimedia broadcast multicast serviceMBSFN manner is to be suspended.

103. The eNB sends second indication information to UE according to thefirst indication information.

The second indication information is used to indicate that transmittingthe data of the service A in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended.

104. The UE interacts with a data source to establish a bearer, and thedata of the service A is transmitted in a unicast manner.

For example, the MCE may determine, according to prior configuration ora congestion status in the MBSFN area, to suspend transmitting the dataof the service A in the MBSFN manner.

Optionally, before step 101, the MCE may receive a notification sent bythe eNB. The notification is used to indicate that congestion occurs inthe MBSFN area. That is, MBSFN subframes that are used to transmit anMBMS service and allocated by the MCE cannot meet a capacity requirementfor transmitting the MBMS service.

For example, the MCE may send the first indication information to alleNBs in the MBSFN area, to ensure all eNBs that transmit the data of theservice A to perform corresponding actions according to the firstindication information.

For example, the MCE may add the first indication information into an M2interface message, such as an MBMS scheduling information message.

For ease of understanding, a time for sending the first indicationinformation to the eNB by the MCE may be referred to as a first time,and a time for suspending transmitting the data of the service A in theMBSFN manner is referred to as a second time. The first time and thesecond time may be understood in a broad sense, such as a particulartime point, a particular MSP, a particular TTI, or a particularsubframe.

Optionally, the first indication information may be further used toindicate the second time, for example, carry an information element forindicating the second time.

For example, when the second time is a particular MSP, the firstindication information may carry a first index and a second index. Thefirst index is used to indicate an MCCH modification period, and thesecond index is used to indicate an MSP in the MCCH modification period.Therefore, a particular MSP in a particular MCCH modification period maybe determined by using the first index and the second index.

Optionally, the first indication information may further include anotification time, used to indicate a time for the eNB to notify the UE,to ensure that multiple eNBs may simultaneously deliver the secondindication information to the UE.

For example, the eNB may send the second indication information byadding the indication information into the MAC data packet as describedabove. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the indication information iscarried in a MAC sub-header corresponding to a data packet A; as shownin FIG. 4, the indication information is carried in an added MACsub-header corresponding to a data packet A; as shown in FIG. 5, theindication information is carried in an indication information partadded in a MAC data packet. Details are not described herein again.

Optionally, the second indication information may further include thesecond time.

For example, after receiving the second indication information, the UEmay suspend, at the second time according to the prior configuration orthe notification from the eNB, receiving the data of the service A inthe MBSFN manner. On one hand, in a network, transmitting the data ofthe service A in the MBSFN manner may be suspended at the second time.On the other hand, the UE may suspend, at the second time, receiving thedata of the service A in the MBSFN manner. Therefore, transmission ofthe data of the service A is synchronously processed at the network sideand in the UE, and the network side can successfully suspendtransmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner. Because thesecond indication information is carried in the MAC data packet,duration between the second time and the first time may be less than oneMCCH modification period. Compared with notifying, by using the MCCH,the UE that transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manneris to be suspended, this method is more flexible and timely.

In addition, after learning in step 103 that transmitting the data ofthe service A in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended in the network, theUE may establish a bearer with the network, so as to continue to receivethe data of the service A in a unicast manner after the second time, andensure continuity of the service A.

To implement the procedure shown in FIG. 6, an existing MCE, eNB, and UEneed to be modified.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an eNB may include a receiving unit anda sending unit. The receiving unit receives the first indicationinformation in step 102, and the sending unit sends the secondindication information in step 103. Functions of the receiving unit andthe sending unit may be implemented by a transceiver.

In another optional implementation manner, the eNB may include aprocessor and a memory. The memory is configured to store code forimplementing the functions of the receiving unit and the sending unit.The processor may execute the code stored in the memory, to implementthe functions of the receiving unit and the sending unit.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an MCE may include a determining unitand a sending unit. The determining unit may determine to suspendtransmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner in the MBSFNarea in step 101, and the sending unit sends the first indicationinformation to the eNB in step 102. Optionally, the MCE may furtherinclude a receiving unit, configured to receive a notification messagethat is used to indicate that congestion occurs in the MBSFN area and issent by the eNB. The determining unit may be implemented by using theprocessor. The sending unit may be implemented by using a communicationscircuit, such as a sending circuit or a network interface card. Thereceiving unit may be implemented by using a communications circuit,such as a receiving circuit or a network interface card.

In another optional implementation manner, the MCE may include aprocessor and a memory. The memory is configured to store code forimplementing functions of the determining unit, the sending unit, andthe receiving unit. The processor may execute the code stored in thememory, to implement the functions of the determining unit, the sendingunit, and the receiving unit.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, UE may include a receiving unit and asending unit. The receiving unit may receive the second indicationinformation in step 103, and the sending unit may send a request forestablishing the bearer. The receiving unit and the sending unit may beimplemented by a transceiver.

In another optional implementation manner, the UE may include aprocessor and a memory. The memory is configured to store code forimplementing functions of the receiving unit and the sending unit. Theprocessor may execute the code stored in the memory, to implement thefunctions of the receiving unit and the sending unit.

By modifying the MCE, the eNB, and the UE, the procedure shown in FIG. 6may be implemented. That is, transmitting service data in an MBSFNmanner may be suspended within duration less than one MCCH modificationperiod. This promotes flexibility of data transmission, and cansuccessfully deal with network impact due to sudden increase in aservice data rate.

A person skilled in the art can understand that information and signalsmay be expressed by using any technology techniques. For example, data,an instruction, a command, information, a signal, a bit, a symbol, and achip may be expressed by a voltage, a current, an electromagnetic wave,a magnetic field or a magnetic particle, an optical field or an opticalparticle, or any combination thereof.

A person skilled in the art may further understand that variousillustrative logical blocks and steps that are listed in the embodimentsof the present invention may be implemented by using electronichardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. To clearlydisplay the interchangeability between the hardware and the software,functions of the foregoing various illustrative components and stepshave been generally described. Whether the functions are implemented byusing hardware or software depends on particular applications and adesign requirement of the entire system. For each specific application,a person skilled in the art may use various methods to implement thefunctions. However, this implementation should not be understood to gobeyond the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

The various illustrative logical blocks, units, and circuits describedin the embodiments of the present invention may implement or operate thedescribed functions by using a general processor, a digital signalprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logicalapparatus, a discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardwarecomponent, or a design of any combination thereof. The general processormay be a microprocessor. Optionally, the general processor may also beany conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or statemachine. The processor may also be implemented by a combination ofcomputing apparatuses, such as a digital signal processor and amicroprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessorswith a digital signal processor core, or any other similarconfiguration.

Steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of thepresent invention may be directly embedded into hardware, a softwareunit executed by a processor, or a combination thereof. The softwareunit may be stored in a RAM memory, a flash memory, a ROM memory, anEPROM memory, an EEPROM memory, a register, a hard disk, a removablemagnetic disk, a CD-ROM, or a storage medium of any other form in theart. For example, the storage medium may connect to a processor so thatthe processor may read information from the storage medium and writeinformation to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium mayfurther be integrated into a processor. The processor and the storagemedium may be arranged in an ASIC, and the ASIC may be arranged in userequipment. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may alsobe arranged in different components of the user equipment.

In one or more examples of designs, the functions described in theembodiments of the present invention may be implemented by usinghardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If the presentinvention is implemented by software, these functions may be stored in acomputer-readable medium or are transmitted to the computer-readablemedium in a form of one or more instructions or code. Thecomputer-readable medium is either a computer storage medium or acommunications medium that enables a computer program to move from oneplace to another. The storage medium may be an available medium that maybe accessed by any general or special computer. For example, such acomputer-readable medium may include but is not limited to a RAM, a ROM,an EEPROM, a CD-ROM, or another optical disc storage, a disk storage oranother magnetic storage apparatus, or any other medium that may be usedto bear or store program code, where the program code is in a form of aninstruction or a data structure or in a form that can be read by ageneral or special computer or a general or special processor. Inaddition, any connection may be appropriately defined as acomputer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from awebsite, a server, or another remote resource by using a coaxial cable,an optical fiber, a twisted pair, a digital subscriber line (DSL) or ina wireless manner, such as infrared, radio, or microwave, the softwareis included in a defined computer-readable medium. The disc and the diskinclude a compressed disk, a laser disk, an optical disc, a DVD, afloppy disk, and a Blu-ray disc. The disk generally copies data by amagnetic means, and the disc generally copies data optically by a lasermeans. The foregoing combination may also be included in thecomputer-readable medium.

According to the foregoing description of this specification in thepresent invention, technologies in the art may use or implement thecontent of the present invention. Any modification based on thedisclosed content shall be considered obvious in the art. The basicprinciples described in the present invention may be applied to othervariations without departing from the essence and scope of the presentinvention. Therefore, the content disclosed in the present invention isnot limited to the described embodiments and designs but may also beextended to a maximum scope that is consistent with the principles anddisclosed new features of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multimedia broadcast multicast communicationmethod comprising: receiving, by a base station, first indicationinformation at a first time, wherein the first indication informationindicates that transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcastmulticast service (MBMS) manner is to be suspended, wherein the firstindication information further indicates a second time indicating a timeat which transmitting the service data in the MBMS manner suspends,wherein the first indication information further indicates anotification time, and the notification time is prior to the second timeand after the first time; and sending, by the base station a mediumaccess control (MAC) control element (CE) to user equipment (UE)according to the notification time, wherein the MAC CE indicates thesecond time; wherein the first time is earlier than the second time. 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein the first time comprises one ofthe following: a first multicast channel scheduling period (MSP); afirst time point; a first transmission time interval (TTI); and a firstsubframe.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second timecomprises one of the following: a second multicast channel schedulingperiod (MSP); a second time point; a second transmission time interval(TTI); and a second subframe.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein duration between the first time and the second time is less thana multicast control channel (MCCH) modification period.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein the first indication information comprisesa first index and a second index; and the second time is a multicastchannel scheduling period (MSP) indicated by the second index in theMCCH modification period associated with the first index.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the first indication information isreceived from a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE).
 7. Amultimedia broadcast multicast communication method comprising:determining, by a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), tosuspend transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcast multicastservice (MBMS) manner in a multimedia broadcast multicast service singlefrequency network (MBSFN) area; and sending, by the MCE, firstindication information to a base station at a first time wherein thefirst indication information indicates that transmitting the servicedata in the MBMS manner is to be suspended, wherein the first indicationinformation further indicates a second time indicating the time at whichtransmitting the service data in the MBMS manner suspends, wherein thefirst indication information further indicates a notification time thatthe base station sends a medium access control (MAC) control element(CE) to user equipment (UE), wherein the MAC CE indicates the secondtime, wherein the notification time is prior to the second time andafter the first time; wherein the first time is earlier than the secondtime.
 8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving,by the MCE, a notification message from the base station, wherein thenotification message indicates that congestion occurs in the MBSFN area.9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first time comprises oneof the following: a first multicast channel scheduling period (MSP); afirst time point; a first transmission time interval (TTI); and a firstsubframe.
 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second timecomprises one of the following: a second multicast channel schedulingperiod (MSP); a second time point; a second transmission time interval(TTI); and a second subframe.
 11. The method according to claim 7,wherein duration between the first time and the second time is less thana multicast control channel (MCCH) modification period.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the indication information comprises afirst index and a second index; and the second time is a multicastchannel scheduling period (MSP) indicated by the second index in theMCCH modification period associated with the first index.
 13. Amultimedia broadcast multicast communication system, comprising a basestation and a multi-cell multicast coordination entity (MCE), wherein:the MCE is configured to determine to suspend transmitting service datain a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) manner in amultimedia broadcast multicast service single frequency network (MBSFN)area; and send first indication information to the base station at afirst time; and the base station is configured to receive the firstindication information at the first time, wherein the first indicationinformation indicates that transmitting the service data in the MBMSmanner is to be suspended, wherein the first indication informationfurther indicates a second time indicating the time at whichtransmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner suspends, wherein thefirst indication information further indicates a notification time, andthe notification time is prior to the second time and after the firsttime; and send a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) touser equipment (UE) according to the notification time, wherein the MACCE indicates the second time; wherein the first time is earlier than thesecond time.
 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the MCE isfurther configured to receive a notification message from the basestation, wherein the notification message indicates that congestionoccurs in the MBSFN area.
 15. The system according to claim 13, whereinthe first time comprises one of the following: a first multicast channelscheduling period (MSP); a first time point; a first transmission timeinterval (TTI); and a first subframe.
 16. The system according to claim13, wherein the second time comprises one of the following: a secondmulticast channel scheduling period (MSP); a second time point; a secondtransmission time interval (TTI); and a second subframe.
 17. The systemaccording to claim 13, wherein duration between the first time and thesecond time is less than a multicast control channel (MCCH) modificationperiod.
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the firstindication information comprises a first index and a second index; andthe second time is a multicast channel scheduling period (MSP) indicatedby the second index in the MCCH modification period associated with thefirst index.